About Environmental Health
Our Program
Environmental Health works within Thurston County Public Health and Social Services to assist the community in issuing permits, responding to complaints, and ensuring that health regulations of the local sanitary codes are followed.
Most of our services are fee based and the fees allow our office to be mostly self-supporting. Septic system owners, restaurants, and food handlers pay for permits. Some programs may also receive funding through grants and contracts with municipal, county and state agencies.
Environmental Health work includes food safety, drinking water and wells, safe environments (schools, water recreation facilities, shellfish harvesting), on-site sewage (septic), solid, business, and hazardous waste regulation.
Environmental Health Codes and Regulations:
The rules and regulations of the Thurston County Board of Health were developed to promote the health, safety, and welfare of the general public. Referred to as the "Sanitary Code," it comes under the jurisdiction of the Public Health and Social Services Department and is regulated and enforced by the Environmental Health Division.
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Article I - General Provisions
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Article II - Food Service
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Article III - Drinking Water Supplies
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Article IV - Sewage Disposal
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Article V - Solid Waste Handling
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Article VI - Nonpoint Source Pollution
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Article VII - Water Recreation Facilities
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Article VIII - Smoking and Vaping
- Fees - Environmental Health 2023 Fee Schedule
Administrative Hearing Requests
Administrative Hearings may be convened for the following reasons:
- An appeal of an order, requirement, permit, decision or determination made by the health officer.
- An appeal of a Notice of Violation or order issued by the health officer to enforce the Thurston County Sanitary Code.
- A hearing request made under Thurston County Code 10.92 for an order regarding contaminated property associated with illegal drug manufacturing or storage.
- A hearing request to review a waiver or variance application.
- Other appropriate reasons set forth in Article I or in Washington State laws and regulations administered by the health officer.
- Administrative Hearing Process Overview
- Request for Appeal - General
- Request for Appeal to the Thurston County Board of Health
- Request for Waiver or Variance from Sanitary Code Provisions - Article III and IV
- Request for Waiver or Variance from Sanitary Code Provisions - General
- Request for Appeal - Expedited Hearing Excess Demerit Points - Food Service
- Request for Appeal Expedited Hearing for Food Service Closure
- Request for Waiver or Variance from Sanitary Code Provisions - Article II
- Request for Waiver or Variance from Sanitary Code Provisions - Article VII
Brochures, Documents, Publications, and Reports
Drinking Water & Lab:
Coliform Bacteria Information
Disinfecting Your Well
Group B Management Guide
Maintaining Your Well
Preventing Pesticide Contamination
Testing Your Well
Water Testing Instructions (includes drop off locations and times)
Well Fact Sheets
Covenants:
- Declaration of Covenant
- Restrictive Covenant
Well Head Protection Program:
Business Pollution Prevention:
Loss of Title Washington State Licensing (DOL)
Abandoned / Junk Vehicle Guide Washington State Police (WSP)
Hazohouse Charge Account Application for Small Businesses (with fee schedule)
Hazardous Waste Management Plan
Hazardous Material Fact Sheets (Industry Specific):
- Antifreeze, Used Oil and Oil Filters
- Aqueous Parts Washers
- Bioremediation Parts Washers
- Category 1 Pesticides and their Unrinsed Containers
- Commercial Printing
- Does Your Business Generate Hazardous Waste?
- Doing Business in a Wellhead Protection Area
- Floor Drains
- Fluorescent Lamps
- Hazardous Materials Management for Retailers
- Hazardous Waste Disposal Program
- Nonpoint Source Pollution Ordinance Compliance
- Oil/Water Separators
- Pesticide Storage, Mixing, and Loading
- Paint Booth Filters
- Photo Processing
- Residential Heating Oil Tanks
- Safe Handling of Empty Pesticide Containers
- Secondary Containment
- Shop Towels
- Spill Plans
- Storing and Labeling Hazardous Waste
- X-Ray and Photo Fixer Disposal
Homeowner Maintenance and Requirements
Information & Guidance for the Septic Professional
- Gravity
- Landscaping Your Drianfield
- Pressure Distribution
- Pumping and Inspection Guide
- Mound System
- Riser Rebate Request Form
- Sand Filter System
- Scum and Sludge
- Septic Inspection and Pumping Guide
- Stick Test Brochure
- Other Proprietary Devices, most up-to-date information on proprietary sewage products approved by Washington State.
- Wastewater Forms and Publications (WA DOH)
Time of Transfer Application:
Thurston County PHSS Pollution Source Identification and Correction: 2022 Protocol Manual
Water Conservation:
Digital Water Quality Library and Hydrogeology Reports for Thurston County. Documents from 1908 to Present: Click Here for a Link to the Digital Library
Contact Environmental Health at Environmental_Health@co.thurston.wa.us if you have additional questions.